The Hurry Up is your nightly dose of updates from the Ohio State football recruiting trail, keeping tabs on the latest from commits and targets from around the country.
THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG
A little over one year ago, Colorado flipped four-star offensive tackle Jake Moretti from Ohio State, as the opportunity to play close to home and enroll early was too good to pass up.
The roles have seemingly been reversed this recruiting cycle, however, as the Buckeyes offered a scholarship to Chattanooga, Tennessee, Baylor School three-star offensive tackle Walker Culver following an official visit a little over a week ago and he decommitted from the Buffaloes on Tuesday night.
— Walker Culver (@WalkerCulver58) November 29, 2017
The 6-foot-6, 273-pound Culver is considered the 50th-best offensive tackle and No. 637 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, but sources close to the Ohio State program have told Eleven Warriors the staff believes he's underrated and the staff would accept his pledge at any point in time.
The Buckeyes currently hold one commitment at the offensive tackle position from four-star Max Wray, but hope to add five-star Jackson Carman and at least one more lineman — preferably a tackle — this cycle.
Culver was set to take his official visit to Colorado on Dec. 8 and then Virginia Tech the following weekend, which would mark his second trip to Blacksburg this fall. He'll skip the first visit, but the Hokies certainly remain a viable threat to land his commitment.
Notre Dame has also thrown its hat into the ring this week, as the Fighting Irish — though they still have not offered to date — stopped by for an in-home visit on Tuesday.
After the above-mentioned visit on Dec. 15, I anticipate Culver will sit down with his family and come to the conclusion that Ohio State is where he wants to be, and he'll sign with the Buckeyes just a few days later during the Early Signing Period.
I WONDER WHERE HE'S GOING
One of Ohio State's top contingency plans in case four-star quarterback commit Emory Jones eventually flips his pledge is ready to make his college decision, as Lawrenceville, Georgia, Central Gwinnett four-star quarterback Jarren Williams announced on Wednesday afternoon he'll make his commitment on Dec. 6.
Commitment date 12/6/17
— J D U B (@Jarren2Williams) November 29, 2017
The 6-foot-2, 206-pound Williams was previously committed to Kentucky, but reopened his recruitment for the second time following an official visit to Miami in early November. With the Hurricanes lacking another quarterback in its recruiting class and seemingly offering a quicker route to playing time than the Buckeyes, they instantly became the favorite to land his pledge.
There were reports ahead of his official visit to Ohio State for the game against Illinois that he may have cancelled his trip to Columbus and committed to Miami instead, but those proved to be untrue. The visit went well for Williams and his family, but the uncertainty surrounding Jones' pledge didn't allow the staff to go-all out in its efforts to land the highly touted signal caller.
Williams also took an official visit to Auburn for the Iron Bowl win over Alabama this past weekend, but all signs continue to point to Miami being the choice. Take this exchange between him and Hurricanes four-star tight end commit Brevin Jordan.
Already know brotha https://t.co/h34gOHqUv1
— J D U B (@Jarren2Williams) November 29, 2017
The Buckeyes continue to be held hostage by Jones' indecision, but expect them to make a move for Colorado State three-star commit Matthew Baldwin or Tennessee four-star pledge Adrian Martinez if this drags out much longer into the month of December. After all, the Early Signing Period is only a few weeks away.
BEST IN THE STATE
Four-star linebacker commit Dallas Gant and four-star wide receiver pledge L'Christian “Blue” Smith were among the several Ohio State commits and targets honored this week as the Ohio High School Athletic Association revealed its All-Ohio teams.
#OHSAA FOOTBALL: Division I All-Ohio Team Announced; Wadsworth QB Joey Baughman Named Ohio Mr. Football for 2017: https://t.co/sE4NjoFYE4 pic.twitter.com/NoBMmqCldy
— OHSAA Sports (@OHSAASports) November 29, 2017
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Gant was named to the Division II First-Team All-Ohio Defense, as he led Toledo St. John's Jesuit with 94 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, seven sacks and an interception. He also added 27 receptions for 456 yards and seven touchdowns for the Titans, who reached the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Gant — who is considered the ninth-best outside linebacker and No. 138 prospect overall in the Class of 2018 — committed to Ohio State back in May over finalists Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Penn State. He's set to sign with the Buckeyes during the Early Signing Period next month and enroll in classes in January.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Smith, meanwhile, was named to the Divison I First-Team All-Ohio Offense, as he finished his senior season at Huber Heights Wayne with 869 yards and nine touchdowns receiving. The Warriors bowed out of the state playoffs in the first round, but he set the Ohio High School Athletic Association record for consecutive games with at least one catch in the loss to Pickerington North, passing Minster's Bryce Schmiesing with a reception in 45-straight contests.
The fourth-best athlete and No. 119 prospect overall in the Class of 2018, Smith picked Ohio State in August over finalists Cincinnati and Kentucky. He will graduate and sign with the Buckeyes next month, but will take a course at Sinclair Community College in Dayton to remain eligble to play high school basketball this winter.
Smith will enroll in classes in Columbus in June.
Five-star running back commit Jaelen Gill — last but not least —was named to the Division II Third-Team All-Ohio Offense. He dealt with a nagging hamstring injury for about half the season, but still finished with 911 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Wildcats.
Other notable first-team honorees include:
DIVISON I
- 2020 Toledo Whitmer quarterback Riley Keller
- 2018 Fairfield offensive tackle Jackson Carman
- 2019 Mentor offensive tackle Ryan Jacoby
- 2018 Cleveland Heights defensive end Tyreke Smith
- 2019 Olentangy Orange defensive end Zach Harrison
DIVISION II
- 2019 Massillon Washington running back/linebacker Jamir Thomas
- 2019 Cincinnati Anderson offensive guard Zeke Correll
- 2018 Cincinnati Winton Woods linebacker Christopher Oats
- 2018 Walnut Ridge linebacker Justin Vance
DIVISION III
- 2019 Lexington linebacker Cade Stover
DIVISION V
- 2019 Wheelersburg wide receiver Tanner Holden
The teams were selected by members of the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
